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Kyle Shanahan, Raheem Morris, share bond

By
Jason Reid

Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan and Tampa Bay Coach Raheem Morris developed a strong bond while serving together as assistants on the Buccaneers' staff.

With the Redskins playing host to the Buccaneers on Sunday at FedEx Field, Shanahan and Morris planned to limit their communication with each other, for obvious reasons, but "we probably won't [go silent for the week]," Shanahan said. "We will probably talk to each other before kickoff sometime.

"But Monday through Friday, I don't have much of a life. If my friends found out that I was texting Raheem, because I don't return any texts from them this time of year, they would be pretty upset with me."

The young Buccaneers (7-5) have appeared to make great strides this season under Morris. Shanahan is not surprised.

"I think he has done a hell of a job," he sad. "I think he came in the position and they really had some turnover there. I think he has done a great job to get them to 7-5, a good record. He has been himself through the whole thing. Anyone who knows Raheem ... he has a great personality and he is going to be himself.

"When they had some adversity last year (3-13), he never changed and he stayed on track. I think that is why players like him. He is a guy where you know what you are going to get, and he is not going to change with pressure. He is going to continue to stay the course. And it has paid off for him."

After working with Morris, Shanahan figured he would become a head coach quickly.

"Yes, without a doubt," he said. "Raheem is a hell of a coach and knows [football] as good as anyone I have been around, and that is 70 percent of it.

"But the other part is you have to be able to get along with players and get those guys to play for you. He is good as anyone I have been around in that aspect."

the pats are 2nd in the nfl in TE touchdowns, behind SD....I'm pretty disappointed in the TE production / utilization this year from the Skins...i thought going into the season they'd be used/targeted more often....

ASHBURN, VA – The Washington Redskins have signed a special partnership deal with the Papa John’s Pizza franchise to help feed the homeless residents of the nation’s capital city.

Pizza franchise founder “Papa” John Schnatter explained the rationale for the agreement.

“Look, earlier this season, we signed a deal with the Redskins to offer free pizza toppings to our customers for every touchdown scored by the team,” he said. “Given all of the hype we heard in the off-season, we were hopeful and excited about the potential of having a really high powered scoring machine, and thought this deal could really improve our business in Washington -- so we went out and pre-ordered tons and tons of pepperoni, Italian sausage, anchovies, ham, pineapple, olives, green peppers, extra cheese and the like.”

He continued, “The trouble was, for all of the hype and fanfare, who could have predicted the Redskins offensive unit would be so anemic, or that the defensive unit would rate out among the worst in the league?”

Papa John went on to say that he was concerned about being left “holding the bag” on tons of pizza toppings, which would soon go to waste if they aren’t used soon. “So we asked ourselves, how to we turn all of this negativity into a good news story?”

Long story short: the Redskins and Papa John’s will team up to distribute plastic baggies full of the extra pizza toppings to any homeless soul who attends Sunday afternoon’s Redskins game at FEDEX Field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If you’re homeless and destitute, all you need to do is find Redskins team owner and head philanthropist Dan Snyder, wide receiver Santana Moss or return specialist Brandon Banks –- who will be easy to spot because they will be wearing special blue costumes at the gates to FEDEX Field – and calling themselves “Papa’s Smurfs.”

According to Snyder, “It just seemed the natural thing for us to do for all of the vagrants and bums of Washington. If anyone can empathize with being down on your luck, on a long losing streak, and out of options -- it’s most certainly the players and fans of our team.”

Your insinuation was duly noted. And don't try to tell me you weren't insinuating anything. When someone says "Well if this was so and so he would be gone" clearly the end of that statement is "so this person should be too." You know what? I've been reading some of your stuff up here and I have to put you in the same clueless boat with peabrain...and sink it.

Posted by: scampbell1975 | December 10, 2010 11:08 AM

You have read more into my post than what was there. I said:

"If Zorn had survived last year, he would have been fire[d] for a performance like this year's."

The reason I said it is because I supported giving Zorn a little more time. But now I see it wouldn't have mattered, because he would have probably gotten the same results Shanahan's getting now... and he would have been fired.

I'm happy to explain my posts if you need clarification, but if your feelings are hurt and/or you feel defensive of Shanahan I can't control that.

The reason I said it is because I supported giving Zorn a little more time. But now I see it wouldn't have mattered, because he would have probably gotten the same results Shanahan's getting now... and he would have been fired.

I'm happy to explain my posts if you need clarification, but if your feelings are hurt and/or you feel defensive of Shanahan I can't control that.

Posted by: Alan4 | December 10, 2010 11:18 AM |

All right, I'll give you the benfit of the doubt on that one. And for the 50th time, I never wanted Shanahan as coach but he's here and I'm not for firing another one and starting over...again.

IMO, I think it's fairly simple. At the start of the season the Skins were a total unknown - new coach, new players, etc. There was no book on this team or its scheme. After a bunch of games, opposing teams had enough tape on this bunch to gauge the scheme, tendencies, strengths/weaknesses of the squad and gameplan for them.

Once that happened, our players and coaches were not good enough to respond - not good enough to adjust/mask weaknesses, not good enough to tweak schemes and find some effective wrinkles, not good enough to just lineup across from an opponent and beat them.

Basically, this team lost the surprise factor, and now its a group in shambles.

The good teams adjust and have players step up.

Mike Vick and the Eagles have tweaked their passing game now that teams are playing 2 safeties deep to take away Mclin/DJax.

The Gmen have been leaning on their running game with Smith/Nicks out.

The Redskins don't have an answer. Our personnel is not talented enough and our coaches have not been creative enough to find the new rhythm and make the adjustments.

All right, I'll give you the benfit of the doubt on that one. And for the 50th time, I never wanted Shanahan as coach but he's here and I'm not for firing another one and starting over...again.

Posted by: scampbell1975 | December 10, 2010 11:22 AM

I think we all want more continuity. I'm just still having a somewhat hard time letting go of the more recent starts and stops. Those knee-jerk "win-now" moves and decisions led us to where we are today.

I really wish there was a way that I would never have to see or hear the name Zorn or Haynesworth ever again. While Zorn was hamstrung and had no chance to succeed, he was the idiot that ran the swinging gate play twice in a row and had such a elementary offense that a 5 year old with crayons could have gotten close to it.

That's why I have this "nothing left to see here" attitude about these last 4 games...Skins will likely sputter and struggle, probably eek out one more win and go into the offseason looking for upgrades in FA and the draft. Once those transactions come to fruition, we'll have something worth talking about again. Until then, it's the same 'ol tired arguments...

good points... but really its talent thing... almost no amount of tweeking or coaching them up would matter or change our record... truth be told we are fortunate we have any wins... if you really look at it we could be sitting here at 0 or 1 instead of 5...

the pats are 2nd in the nfl in TE touchdowns, behind SD....I'm pretty disappointed in the TE production / utilization this year from the Skins...i thought going into the season they'd be used/targeted more often....

i'm disappointed in kyle shanny not utilizing his two extremely good te's... this isn't houston where he had a dominant wr in andre johnson... this is the nation's capitol where 2 of your 3 best receivers are te's!!!

Basically, this team lost the surprise factor, and now its a group in shambles.

The good teams adjust and have players step up.

Mike Vick and the Eagles have tweaked their passing game now that teams are playing 2 safeties deep to take away Mclin/DJax.

The Gmen have been leaning on their running game with Smith/Nicks out.

The Redskins don't have an answer. Our personnel is not talented enough and our coaches have not been creative enough to find the new rhythm and make the adjustments.

Posted by: p1funk | December 10, 2010 11:28 AM | Report abuse

I agree with what you're saying, p1. I would add that the roster at the beginning of the year was shallow, and when some injuries began to appear to some key players(CP, LL, CR, TW, RT), the lack of depth became apparent.

The coaching staff has now had almost a full season to assess strengths and weakness(mainly weaknesses) of the roster. Second round of FA & draft should be more successful, especially because FA will probably be substantially deeper.

Still, I'm predicting a W for the Skins, 20-10, this week. Rain and cold will help, as will a coming-together of the team after a week of focusing on Bucs, rather than on AH.

the pats are 2nd in the nfl in TE touchdowns, behind SD....I'm pretty disappointed in the TE production / utilization this year from the Skins...i thought going into the season they'd be used/targeted more often....

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | December 10, 2010 11:12 AM
-------------------------------------------
Yeah, big disappointment. I thought this offense was going to be really adaptable but - and I am really sorry to admit this - they haven't looked too much different than the junk Zorn brought out every Sunday. I am not saying Zorn was a better coach because they was no way he could have gotten the players to gut out those close victories, but I guess the WCO is the WCO no matter who runs it. It's a several year rebuilding project and the finished product will only have one decent tight end.

I had a Media Law professor that was discussing pornography. He said, "Not that I've ever watched it, but has anyone heard of brown showers?"

Posted by: iH8dallas | December 10, 2010 12:16 PM | Report abuse

Sounds almost like a Pittsburgh Platter to me. Except there's a glass table in the way, and you don't get sh*t all over you. Wow, there are some sick people out there. Sounds like something Body_Odor would like. Oops, I guess he owns me again, better go look for that donkey to lick his balls........

Basically, this team lost the surprise factor, and now its a group in shambles.

The good teams adjust and have players step up.

Mike Vick and the Eagles have tweaked their passing game now that teams are playing 2 safeties deep to take away Mclin/DJax.

The Gmen have been leaning on their running game with Smith/Nicks out.

The Redskins don't have an answer. Our personnel is not talented enough and our coaches have not been creative enough to find the new rhythm and make the adjustments.

Posted by: p1funk | December 10, 2010 11:28 AM | Report abuse

I agree with what you're saying, p1. I would add that the roster at the beginning of the year was shallow, and when some injuries began to appear to some key players(CP, LL, CR, TW, RT), the lack of depth became apparent.

The coaching staff has now had almost a full season to assess strengths and weakness(mainly weaknesses) of the roster. Second round of FA & draft should be more successful, especially because FA will probably be substantially deeper.

Still, I'm predicting a W for the Skins, 20-10, this week. Rain and cold will help, as will a coming-together of the team after a week of focusing on Bucs, rather than on AH.

Posted by: frediefritz | December 10, 2010 12:07 PM | Report abuse

p1funk, I AGREEEEE WITH YOU!

fredie, I agree with you, but before a team can have "depth" it must have starters. The Redskins don't really have quality starters at MANY positions. Any team that starts thin will end up in trouble. Under thin ice is cold water.

fredie, I agree with you, but before a team can have "depth" it must have starters. The Redskins don't really have quality starters at MANY positions. Any team that starts thin will end up in trouble. Under thin ice is cold water.

Posted by: pabrian2003 | December 10, 2010 12:42 PM | Report abuse

The problem with this franchise under Snyder is that even though he changed coaches every couple years, the same constant remained: Bringing in costly FA's and trading away our Draft Picks!

Some of our starters are either getting older or should be our backups. My only hope is that Shanahan/Allen are the ones running things and Snyder stays out of it. We'll get an indication of how it's going to be in the 2012 draft.

I anticipate that it will be close/competitive in the first half. Once TB has a half to adjust to a cold-weather game, they'll come out in the 3rd quarter and run away with it. We won't be able to make the adjustments (surprise).

Blount will have a big game. I don't care how many injuries they have on their Oline. We couldn't stop the likes of Brandon Jackson, Kenneth Darby and Toby Gerhart. We won't stop Blount. Especially with Landry, our best tackler (did I really just say that?) and AH, our most disruptive force on the Dline (whether you like it or not), not in the game.

And Freeman will play an efficient game without a whole lot of mistakes.

We might be able to keep it a one-score loss if we can get a bunch of turnovers, but I doubt it.

...post-game chatter will revolve around the fact that a coach in his rookie stint and a team of draft picks beat our $7mill/per year Genius and his roster of hand-picked vets.

fredie, I agree with you, but before a team can have "depth" it must have starters. The Redskins don't really have quality starters at MANY positions. Any team that starts thin will end up in trouble. Under thin ice is cold water.

Posted by: pabrian2003 | December 10, 2010 12:42 PM

I agree with this. Really it's the starting group that needs an upgrade, particularly on defense, and the Oline. Fans have to be patient because it should take two more years of solid acquisitions in FA and draft of players that fit the schemes employed, before the Skins start heading in the right directions.

good points... but really its talent thing... almost no amount of tweeking or coaching them up would matter or change our record... truth be told we are fortunate we have any wins... if you really look at it we could be sitting here at 0 or 1 instead of 5...

The coaches chose to do a 3-4 base with this team. We had the talent to go with an effective 4-3, but they chose otherwise.

The coaches chose to keep Dockery on the sidelines despite Kory L getting blown up game after game in pass-pro.

The coaches chose to keep shackles on Fred Davis even though it seemed like we could have used another pass-catcher out there.

The coaches chose to release Devin Thomas and continue rolling out Galloway. And while DT is certainly open to the criticism of not being a very smart/sharp professional, you can't convince me that his raw talent level is not higher than Galloway's right now.

Anyhow, I think there are plenty of examples where talent has not been used/maximized and that's on the coaches.

I agree with what you're saying, p1. I would add that the roster at the beginning of the year was shallow, and when some injuries began to appear to some key players(CP, LL, CR, TW, RT), the lack of depth became apparent.

The coaching staff has now had almost a full season to assess strengths and weakness(mainly weaknesses) of the roster. Second round of FA & draft should be more successful, especially because FA will probably be substantially deeper.

Still, I'm predicting a W for the Skins, 20-10, this week. Rain and cold will help, as will a coming-together of the team after a week of focusing on Bucs, rather than on AH.

Posted by: frediefritz | December 10, 2010 12:07 PM | Report abuse

I hope this round of FA and draft is successful, but I'm skeptical.

First, we don't have very many draft picks.

Second, dipping a whole lot into FA is what has kept this team from building depth. FAs demand higher salaries and bonuses, which eat up cap space and prevent us from affording quality depth. We end up scarping the dredges for backups.

Also not sure where the Skins are going to find 20 points. Bucs are a young hungry team that still have something to play for this year. They were very competitive against Atlanta and Bmore - 2 teams that could very well be in the Suprebowl this year.

The Skins are an old also-ran team, and based on their performances over the past 2 games, it looks like those fogies can't wait for the season to end...

Your insinuation was duly noted. And don't try to tell me you weren't insinuating anything. When someone says "Well if this was so and so he would be gone" clearly the end of that statement is "so this person should be too." You know what? I've been reading some of your stuff up here and I have to put you in the same clueless boat with peabrain...and sink it.

Posted by: scampbell1975 | December 10, 2010 11:08 AM

You have read more into my post than what was there. I said:

"If Zorn had survived last year, he would have been fire[d] for a performance like this year's."

The reason I said it is because I supported giving Zorn a little more time. But now I see it wouldn't have mattered, because he would have probably gotten the same results Shanahan's getting now... and he would have been fired.

I'm happy to explain my posts if you need clarification, but if your feelings are hurt and/or you feel defensive of Shanahan I can't control that.

Posted by: Alan4 | December 10, 2010 11:18 AM | Report abuse

Alan, I have to disagree with you, respectfully.

I don't see that Zorn's performance would have been as bad.

Even Zorn had the brains not to junk the 10th ranked defense & replace with the 32nd ranked defense!

I'd be madder if Snyder wasn't a fan. I know he's got the best of intentions for this team, and he is still a relatively new owner, but he's got to learn that his old way isn't cutting it!!!

I hope he's a man of his word and sits back and let's Shanahan/Allend try to run this team, without interfering. Now let's just hope they make the right decisions on who to draft and bring in during FA.

I think you way overvalue the talent on our team... doc is just a guy lich is just a guy (although younger and cheaper) Galloway I agree should never have made the squad ( along with most of the geriatric guys brought in under gibbs 2)but certainly thomas was not the answer at WR... a guy who just doesn't get it and most likely has blown his chance...

We have what it takes to start over...an expiernced credible head coach who is firmly in charge not afraid to make decisions and changes and has shown not afraid to make further changes if the previous changes are not working.... we also have a vetern QB who is what he is but despite his flaws is an upgrade. He will play margianally better as the team improves ( just like he did Philadelphia)

Those things in place we have get better upfront oline and d front seven... do that you can become respectible... become resectible , you can become a playoff contender, become a playoff team you can become a title contender and then maybe play in a superbowl.... I 'm looking for respectible first....

"I think we all want more continuity. I'm just still having a somewhat hard time letting go of the more recent starts and stops. Those knee-jerk "win-now" moves and decisions led us to where we are today."

I agree, but too many Redskins fans want instant sucess. No team has ever been sucesful in the History of the NFL by starting stopping over and over again. So why do fans think that it'll ever happen now.

The Redskins' front office neeed to rebuild now and the fans need to be patient.

Rebuilding proposal

1. Replace everyone O line starters (two by drafts, two by free agency) with the exception of T. Williams.

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